Workplace Hand and Arm Injuries in Philadelphia
Workplace hand and arm injuries in Philadelphia can be extremely debilitating. Most, if not all of us, rely on our hands and arms to perform our jobs. A serious injury to the hands or arms can make it impossible for an injured worker to continue working.
If you have suffered a hand or arm injury in a work-related accident, or if your injury is due to repetitive stress or trauma at work, you should explore your legal options. Our attorneys at Gross & Kenny, LLP, are highly experienced in workers’ compensation matters and can help you explore your options for seeking compensation and benefits after a work-related accident. We proudly serve Philadelphia and the surrounding areas, such as Bustleton and South Philadelphia.
Types Of Hand Injuries And Arm Injuries
Our Philadelphia law firm represents clients who have suffered a range of workplace hand and arm injuries:
- Amputations– a loss of a limb is unfortunately among the most severe injuries that one can sustain in the workplace. Employees in manufacturing plants and construction sites rank as the highest at risk of amputations. In some instances, prostheses are offered as a substitute but life can never be the same after suffering a loss of a limb. Extensive and lifelong medical attention is necessary and increases with costs over time.
- Brachial plexus injuries– involve the network of intertwined nerves that control movement and sensation in the arm and hand. This type of injury is sudden damage to the nerves and causes weakness, loss of feeling, or loss of movement in the shoulder, arm, or hand. A mild condition can heal without treatment but more severe injuries more than likely require surgery to regain function of the arm or hand.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome– is caused by pressure on the median nerve. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments on the palm side. Whenever the median nerve is compressed the symptoms can be painful with tingling, weakness, and numbness. You want to be sure to seek medical attention if your symptoms prevent you from completing normal activities and interrupt your sleep pattern.
- Cubital tunnel syndrome– this condition correlates to pressure or stretching of the ulnar nerve, or funny bone nerve. As a result numbness or tingling can be felt in the ring and small fingers. There can also be a pain in the forearm and weakness in the hand. To alleviate symptoms wrapping a pillow or towel loosely around the elbow or wearing a splint at night to keep the elbow from bending is most effective. If you experience more serious symptoms a doctor will recommend surgery.
- Degloving injuries– is whenever a large piece of skin and the layer of soft tissue under it are partially or completely removed from your body. The layers of skin don’t receive blood flow even if still attached to the injured area. If a part of the body is caught on something and pulled away violently the skin and soft tissues peel back. A large part of the flesh is revealed. It can occur in a car accident, improper use of heavy machinery, or forceful removal of rings from fingers.
- Fractures– a bone break that is a result of a car accident, fall, or sports injury. Most fractures occur because of high force impact or stress. Pain, swelling, bruising and discolored skin are among the most common signs of a fracture.
- de Quervain’s– syndrome is a painful condition that affects the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist. You may experience pain near the base of your thumb, swelling, and difficulty moving your thumb and wrist as well.
- Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)– a painful ailment that is a result of an overload and repetitive motion on the elbow. The pain usually originates where the tendons of your forearm muscles attach to a bony bump on the outside of your elbow. Surgery is a feasible option if home remedies, like rest and over-the-counter pain relievers, don’t help.
Other injuries that can occur and may require surgery if not treated appropriately are:
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Traumatic arthritis
Our goal is to help you maximize your workers’ compensation benefits. We are all too familiar with the tactics used by insurance companies to minimize or deny claims. We work proactively to help you seek proper medical care and an accurate diagnose of your condition — especially if you have a repetitive stress injury. We are then in a solid position to effectively advocate on your behalf for workers’ compensation benefits.
Need Help With Workplace Hand and Arm Injuries in Philadelphia? Call Us.
Learn more about your options for seeking workers’ compensation benefits for a hand injury, arm injury, repetitive stress injury, or workplace sprain injury. Call the lawyers of Gross & Kenny, LLP, today to discuss workplace hand and arm injuries in Philadelphia. We also serve the surrounding areas of Bustleton and South Philadelphia.